Back roads and bayous

Two nights, many servings of red beans and rice, countless musical outbreaks in the middle of the streets, one too many classic cocktails, and a total of zero beignets in New Orleans, and we’re packed up and back on the road.

It was my first time in New Orleans, and I was fascinated by the city’s colorful characters, incredibly preserved architecture (and the places where it’s not as perfectly restored, the cracks and hints of shabbiness just add to the gothic beauty of the area), the parades that burst out all times of day and definitely, definitely the food.

This week, I’m on a road trip with my lifelong best friend. We want to visit parts of the South we’ve never seen – the small towns, back roads, barbecue joints, jazz clubs, bayous and historic homes.

We’re making a pit stop for lunch (and, yes, free Wi-Fi) before scoping out the gators on a swamp tour and heading on to Fairhope and Mobile, AL; Oxford, MS; Memphis and Nashville, TN; and ending in Louisville, KY.